Wild Leaves are an up-and-coming Brooklyn-based folk band. Yes, you read that right - folk band. But before you go running off, give them a chance. Comprised of five members, their music is self-described as "Hazy Americana", a sound borne out of their multitudinous harmonies and unique recording style. Their debut EP, Wind & Rain, was released on March 26th of this year, and reminds the listener of a half-remembered collective past it's so rife with a sense of nostalgia. We wanted to know more; so we sent them a few questions, and here's what they answered.

TB: Introduce yourselves! How did you all come to start making music together? WL: Hi friends! We're Wild Leaves. The band is made up of Adam, Brett, Cole, Genevieve, and Joey. We live in Brooklyn, New York but are all originally from Ohio (Akron, Dayton, and Cincinnati)  We all met in college and somehow ended up moving to the big city together.  Having been collaborators in college, it made sense that we'd give it a shot in our new locale.  A couple years after the move, Brett and I (Adam( were living together and started writing songs. After a while, we figured we ought to perform them, so we recruited our best friends and favorite musicians to join. Now we're one big happy family!

TB: How do you describe your music? WL: As a band we try to avoid describing our music simply because it is more interesting and valuable to hear what unbiased ears call it. Some of our favorite descriptions are Cosmic Americana, West Coast Country (from the 70s), and Ghost Folk.  I think the takeaway is that we are a contemporary American band with deep respect for the past and an eye towards the future… oh, and we sing 4-part harmonies! TB: What are some of your influences? WL: The Byrds, Serge Gainsbourg, Group Inerane, The Band, Early-Pink Floyd, and Frank Zappa. One of the best things about our band is the variety of influences. We pull from our different upbringings and are left with a colorful palette to work with. TB: What are you hoping to evoke/convey with your music? WL: The recurring theme in all of our music is appreciation. We have been blessed with so many treasures in this life and sometimes it's easy to forget. Our music is a way of giving thanks for each breath; allowing us to take in the natural beauty that surrounds us, good friends, family, and all the quiet times in between. Hard times too! Lost love, getting older, shitty jobs; It's an entirely un-punk ethos, but it's our belief that all of those experiences (while sometimes frustrating) are what make up an emotionally rich life and offer valuable lessons. Let's celebrate them together. TB: You've mentioned that it took a while for you to find your 'collective voice' - how long were you playing together before you found that cohesion, and why do you think it happened when it did? WL: The band formed slowly over the course of a year.  Starting with me playing simple tunes in my bedroom and begging Brett to record some bass lines for the songs.  At that point, we knew we could make something, but wanted more instruments. So, we recruited Cole to play lead guitar.  We played a couple shows before everyone went home for Christmas.  In Cincinnati, we had an opportunity to play a show with some friends at one of our old haunts, but Cole wasn't going to be around.  So, we asked Genevieve and Joey to join us.  We'd never played together before the show, but it was a blast.  Upon returning to the city, Cole volunteered to switch to drums and that completed the lineup. The more we played, the more we learned each others' strengths. When we realized everyone could sing, we knew that was our sound.  It informs the lyrics and the arrangements.  It's important that when we sing a song, all 5 of us believe in every word.  Because if we don't believe it, there's no way we can expect others to.  

TB: You recorded the EP Wind & Rain all together, all at once, rather than laying down individual tracks. Why was this, as well as the recording location, important to you? WL: It was important for us to record in a place that would offer a break from our daily lives. Living in New York, it can be tough to make ends meet, but sometimes its good to step out, forget the hustle, and focus on what's truly meaningful.  So, we loaded up the car with gear/groceries and headed into the woods. We chose the location (a renovated Quonset Hut that doubled as an artists retreat and yoga studio) because of it's great vibe. There, we were able to cook our own meals and warm our hands by the wood stove, while still focusing on recording the songs. The goal was to capture the beautiful moment we were all living in together.  So, tracking live was the ideal choice. It allowed us to feed off each others' energy and deliver a more compelling performance. There's nothing wrong with tracking individually, but to us, the overall feeling is more important than a minor technical error. The recordings possess a human element and I think that's why people connect with them. TB: What are you listening to at the moment? What's on your iPods? And what is that one guilty pleasure song you don't want people to know about? WL: We've really been digging this brilliant Brazilian psych band Booogarins lately.  In addition, our good pals Streets of Laredo just released two EP's "Volume I" and "Volume II" which are the catchiest bits of indie-folk we've heard all year. As for a guilty pleasure song.  "Gypsy" by Fleetwood Mac.  In college we used to hang out at this bar in Cincinnati called Christy's. They had awful food and an ok crowd, but drinks were cheap and the jukebox had Fleetwood Mac's greatest hits.  We'd play "Gypsy" on repeat.  It's totally 80's cheese, but it's all about transporting to a forgotten place and it does exactly that. Anytime I hear it come on a loudspeaker, I get stopped in my tracks. TB: What is a must-have album you think everyone should have in their collection/should listen to at least once in their lives? WL: "For The Sake Of The Song" by Townes Van Zandt. It's a storytellers record set against the backdrop of the American west. No fancy recording tricks but the compositions are stunning. The record speaks in a language that recalls the old days but is accessible in the modern age. Try listening to "Waitin' Around To Die" and not feeling total despair. Just when you're about to give it all up, get swept away by the optimism of "I'll Be Here in the Morning".